Calibrachoa plant with radially symmetric coloration

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to Calibrachoa plants displaying at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins, wherein the pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Canadian Plant Breeders'Rights application no. 11-7221, filed Mar. 15, 2011, Community PlantVariety Office Application No. 2011/2462 filed Oct. 17, 2011, and U.S.application Ser. No. 13/135,599, filed Jul. 8, 2011. Each application inits entirety is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of ornamentalCalibrachoa plants, and provides new, distinct, and stable cultivars ofCalibrachoa plants having inflorescence with a unique radially symmetricpattern along the center of the fused petal margins. The radiallysymmetric pattern has not been observed in any wild species ofCalibrachoa, but was discovered through Applicants' breeding process.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of ornamentalCalibrachoa plants. The genus Calibrachoa belongs to the Solanaceae(nightshade) family, closely related to Petunias. Many published planttaxonomies do not recognize Calibrachoa as a separate genus, and insteadplace it under the genus Petunia. Calibrachoa species can generally befound in South America, in southern Brazil, Peru, and Chile, in much thesame regions as Petunias are found. Depending on frost conditions,Calibrachoa are considered perennials in areas that experience lightfrost, and annuals in other areas. While Calibrachoa produce seed, theresultant progeny generally display a range of characteristics, and sothe plants are vegetatively propagated to ensure reproductions that aretrue-to-type of the originally selected plant.

SUMMARY

In one aspect there is provided a Calibrachoa plant comprising at leastone inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center ofthe fused petal margins, wherein said pattern extends from the center ofthe inflorescence and does not fade during the life of theinflorescence. In one embodiment, the radially symmetric pattern isyellow, white, or cream. In another embodiment, the radially symmetricpattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to the edge of thepetals. In other embodiments, the radially symmetric pattern extendsfrom the center of the inflorescence to less than halfway towards theedge of the petals, more than halfway towards the edge of the petals, orany distance between the center of the inflorescence and the edge of thepetals. In another embodiment, the radially symmetric pattern has acolor that is not the same as the petal color. In another embodiment,the Calibrachoa plant is produced from tissue having ATCC DepositAccession No.______.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for producing aCalibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with a radiallysymmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins,comprising (a) crossing, as the male or female parent, a firstCalibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with saidradially symmetric pattern, with a second Calibrachoa plant that doesnot comprise an inflorescence with said radially symmetric pattern, and(b) selecting progeny that have said radially symmetric pattern

wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of theinflorescence towards the edge of the petals and does not fade duringthe life of the inflorescence. In one embodiment, the radially symmetricpattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to the edge of thepetals. In another embodiment, the method provides a Calibrachoa plant,wherein tissue from said plant can be asexually propagated to produce aCalibrachoa plant comprising inflorescence with said radially symmetricpattern.

In another aspect, provided herein is a method for asexually reproducinga Calibrachoa plant having at least one inflorescence with a radiallysymmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins,comprising (a) obtaining a tissue cutting from said plant, (b) culturingsaid tissue cutting under conditions sufficient to produce a plantletwith roots and shoots; and (c) growing said plantlet to produce a plant,wherein said pattern extends from the center of the inflorescencetowards the edge of the petals and does not fade during the life of theinflorescence. In one embodiment, the radially symmetric pattern extendsfrom the center of the inflorescence to the edge of the petals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This patent or application file contains at least one drawing executedin color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof necessary fee.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of typical inflorescences of ‘Cherry Star’.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of‘Cherry Star’.

FIG. 3 shows a front view perspective of the prior art example variety‘Salmon Star’.

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of theprogeny variety ‘Scarlet Punch Star’.

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of theprogeny variety ‘Blackberry Punch Star’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventors discovered a new Calibrachoa plant comprising atleast one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along thecenter of the fused petal margins, wherein said pattern extends from thecenter of the inflorescence towards the edge of the petals and does notfade during the life of the inflorescence. The radially symmetricpattern manifests in several different colors, such that the pattern isnot the same color as petal color and thereby contrasts intenselyagainst petal color.

The petal colors of Calibrachoa are determined through the interactionof two layers of color pigment, carotenoid and anthocyanin. Thecarotenoid color may be yellow and the anthocyanin color may be pink,purple, or blue. The present radially symmetric pattern is a result of amutation and may be controlled by a single half-dominant gene.Regardless of the genetics, the radially symmetric inflorescence patterncan be reproducibly and predictably introgressed into diverse geneticbackgrounds of Calibrachoa to create new varieties.

As used herein, a radially symmetric pattern refers to a pigmentationpattern that appears during the bud stage and produces a clearlydelineated star along each crease in the petals of each flower. The starpattern extends from the center of the inflorescence towards the edge ofthe petals. In some embodiments, the pattern extends all of the way tothe edge of the petals. In other embodiments, the pattern may extendsome distance towards the edge of the petals, but not entirely to theedge. For example, and non-limiting, a radially symmetric pattern mayextend less than halfway to the petals edge, more than halfway to thepetals edge, or any distance between the center of the inflorescence andthe edge of the petals. An exemplary radially symmetric pattern can beseen in FIG. 1.

As discussed above, the radially symmetric pattern can manifest as oneof several different colors, including but not limited to yellow, white,or cream. Notably, the radially symmetric pattern is not the same coloras petal color. For example, if the pattern is yellow (e.g. RHS 13B),then the petals are not yellow, but could be pink, purple, blue, red,scarlet, orange, black, or other non-yellow color. Similarly, if thepattern is white, then the petals are not white, but could be pink,purple, blue, red, scarlet, orange, black, or other non-white color.

“Plant” includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cells of tissueculture from which Calibrachoa plants can be regenerated from plantcalli, plant clumps and plant cells that are intact in plants or partsof plants such as pollen, flowers, pistils, anthers, seeds, leaves,stems, and the like.

Petunias, a close relative of Calibrachoa, do not have a carotenoidlayer of pigment and so the potential for variation in Calibrachoacoloration is much wider than in Petunias.

The instant and novel Calibrachoa are most similar to known Calibrachoavariety ‘Salmon Star’, which also exhibits a radially symmetric patternalong the fused petal margins of the inflorescence. However, thecoloration in the ‘Salmon Star’ variety fades over the life of theinflorescence due to differences in the intensity of the anthocyaninlayer of coloration. Further, the coloration in ‘Salmon Star’ isinconsistent, not as pronounced, and does not always extend to the edgeof the petals. See, for example, FIG. 3. Whereas ‘Salmon Star’ has aweaker level of anthocyanin coloration, and thus a weaker presentationof the pattern, the varieties disclosed herein have a stronger contrastbetween the two layers of coloration, making for a more intensepresentation of the pattern, as well as long-lasting coloration thatdoes not fade over time.

A. Breeding History

The radially symmetric inflorescence pattern was first noticed in Springof 2006 in the seedlings of the Calibrachoa variety ‘CJ06-13’ (breederreference, unpatented). ‘CJ06-13’ was developed from a cross between‘C322-2’ (breeder reference, unpatented) as the female parent and‘CJ05-52’ (breeder reference, unpatented) as the male parent. Neither‘CJ06-13’ nor ‘CJ05-52’ displayed the instant radially symmetric patterntrait.

‘CJ06-13’ was further crossed with the varieties ‘CJ06-02’ and ‘C413-10’in 2006. Neither ‘CJ06-02’ nor ‘C413-10’ displayed the instant patterntrait. The cross between ‘CJ06-13’ and ‘C413-10’ produced the variety‘Salmon Star’, which displays some evidence of the instant pattern traitas discussed above. In 2007, ‘Salmon Star’ was crossed as the femaleparent with the variety ‘C580-02’ (breeder reference, unpatented) as themale parent to produce the variety ‘CJ08-61’, a variety with cherry pinkflowers and a red pattern. ‘C580-02’ did not display the instant patterntrait.

Also in 2007, the cross of ‘CJ06-13’ and ‘CJ06-02’ which was designated‘C590-08B’ (breeder reference, unpatented) and which displayed someevidence of the instant pattern trait, was crossed with the variety‘C403-02’ (breeder reference, unpatented) to produce the variety‘CJ08-38’, (breeder reference, unpatented), which has a yellow flowercolor. ‘C590-08B’ is the product of the cross of ‘CJ06-13’ and‘CJ06-02’. Neither ‘C403-02’ nor ‘CJ08-38’ displayed the instant patterntrait.

In 2008, a cross was made between the variety ‘CJ08-61’ as the maleparent, and ‘CJ08-38’ as the female parent to produce the instantvariety ‘09C10-01’ or ‘Cherry Star’, which displays the disclosedradially symmetric inflorescence pattern trait with color intensity andlongevity over the life of the inflorescence.

B. Stable and Predictable Introgression of the Radially-SymmetricPattern

The instant radially-symmetric pattern can be stably and predictablyintrogressed into diverse Calibrachoa genetic backgrounds. The instantCalibrachoa can be used as a male or female parent in crosses forintroducing the trait into new Calibrachoa plants, thereby creatingdiverse Calibrachoa genetic backgrounds.

Additionally, and as known in the art, Calibrachoa plants can bereproduced asexually by vegetative propagation or other clonal methodknown in the art. For example, and in no way limiting, a Calibrachoaplant having at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetricpattern along the center of the fused petal margins, can be reproducedby (a) obtaining a tissue cutting from said plant, (b) culturing saidtissue cutting under conditions sufficient to produce a plantlet withroots and shoots; and (c) growing said plantlet to produce a plant,

wherein said pattern extends from the center of the inflorescencetowards the edge of the petals and does not fade during the life of theinflorescence.

The following Examples are illustrative and do not limit the disclosure.

Example 1: Botanical Description of ‘09C10-01’ (‘Cherry Star’) BotanicalClassification:

-   -   Calibrachoa sp.

Parentage:

-   -   Female, or seed, parent: Proprietary seedling selection of        Calibrachoa sp. identified as code name CJ08-5 61, not patented.    -   Male, or pollen, parent: Proprietary seedling selection of        Calibrachoa sp. identified as code number CJ08-38, not patented.

Propagation:

-   -   Type: By terminal cuttings.    -   Time to initiate roots, summer: About four days at temperatures        ranging from 17° C. to 29° C.    -   Time to initiate roots, winter: About six days at temperatures        ranging from 17° C. to 21° C.    -   Time to produce a rooted plant, summer: About 22 days at        temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 29° C.    -   Time to produce a rooted plant, winter: About 25 days at        temperatures ranging from 17° C. to 21° C.    -   Root description: Medium in thickness, fibrous; white in color.    -   Rooting habit: Freely branching; medium density.

Plant Description:

-   -   Plant and growth habit: Compact, upright to outwardly spreading        and mounding plant habit; freely branching habit 5 with about        five primary lateral branches each with about three to four        secondary lateral branches; pinching enhances branching;        moderately vigorous, dense and bushy growth habit.    -   Plant height: About 16 cm.    -   Plant diameter: About 30 cm by 37 cm.

Lateral Branch Description:

-   -   Length: About 15 cm.    -   Diameter: About 2 mm.    -   Internode length, vegetative: About 1 cm.    -   Internode length, reproductive: About 1.9 cm.    -   Strength: Strong.    -   Aspect: Initially upright to outwardly spreading.    -   Texture: Pubescent.    -   Color: Close to 146C.

Foliage Description:

-   -   Arrangement: Before flowering, alternate; after flowering,        opposite; leaves simple.    -   Length: About 2.6 cm.    -   Width: About 9 mm.    -   Shape: Oblanccolate.    -   Apex: Rounded.    -   Base: Attenuate.    -   Margin: Entire.    -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent.    -   Venation pattern: Pinnate; arcuate.    -   Color:    -   Developing leaves, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 137B.    -   Fully expanded leaves, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 137B;        venation, close to 137C.    -   Petiole:    -   Length: About 4 mm.    -   Diameter: About 2 mm.    -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent.    -   Color, upper surface: Close to 146C.    -   Color, lower surface: Close to 146D.

Flower Description:

-   -   Flower arrangement and habit: Single salverform flowers arising        from leaf axils; freely flowering habit with usually about 25 to        27 open flowers and flower buds per lateral branch; flowers face        upright and outwardly.    -   Fragrance: None detected.    -   Natural flowering season: Early flowering habit, plants of the        new Calibrachoa begin flowering about six weeks after planting;    -   plants flower continuously from spring though the autumn in        California.    -   Flower longevity: Individual flowers last about five days on the        plant; flowers persistent.    -   Flower diameter: About 3.6 cm.    -   Flower length (height): About 2.9 cm.    -   Flower throat diameter: About 8 mm by 10 mm.    -   Flower tube length: About 2 cm.    -   Flower tube diameter, base: About 2.5 mm.    -   Flower bud:    -   Shape: Elongated oblong.    -   Length: About 2.3 cm.    -   Diameter: About 6 mm.    -   Color: Close to 145D.    -   Corolla:    -   Arrangement: Five petals fused at the base and opening into a        flared trumpet.    -   Petal lobe length (from throat): About 1.5 cm.    -   Petal lobe width: About 1.7 cm.    -   Petal shape: Roughly cordate.    -   Petal apex: Emarginate.    -   Petal margin: Entire.    -   Petal texture, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; velvety.    -   Petal texture, lower surface: Pubescent.    -   Throat texture: Smooth, glabrous.    -   Tube texture: Pubescent.    -   Color:    -   Petal lobe, when opening, upper surface: Close to N186D.    -   Petal lobe, when opening, lower surface: Close to 198D.    -   Petal lobe, fully opened, upper surface: Brighter than 71A;        towards the throat, close to 187A; starshaped pattern, close to        13B; primary color becoming closer to 71C with development;        venation, close to 71A.    -   Petal lobe, fully opened, lower surface: Close to N77B;        venation, close to 187B.    -   Throat: Close to 12B; venation, 5 close to 145C.    -   Tube: Close to 195B; venation, close to 187C.    -   Calyx:    -   Arrangement: One calyx tube with five sepals in a single whorl        and fused at the base.    -   Sepal length: About 1.6 cm.    -   Sepal width: About 3 mm.    -   Sepal shape: Ligulate to narrowly elliptical.    -   Sepal apex: Acute.    -   Sepal margin: Entire.    -   Sepal texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent.    -   Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 146C.    -   Peduncles:    -   Length: About 1.5 cm.    -   Diameter: About 1 mm.    -   Angle: About 30° to 45° from stem axis.    -   Strength: Strong.    -   Texture: Pubescent.    -   Color: Close to 146D.    -   Reproductive organs:    -   Stamens:    -   Quantity: About five per flower.    -   Filament length: About 7 mm.    -   Filament color: Close to 145D.    -   Anther shape: Oval.    -   Anther length: About 1 mm.    -   Anther color: Close to 5D.    -   Pollen amount: Scarce.    -   Pollen color: Close to 6B.    -   Pistils:    -   Quantity: One per flower.    -   Pistil length: About 1.2 cm.    -   Style length: About 8 mm.    -   Style color: Close to 145D.    -   Stigma shape: Oval.    -   Stigma color: Close to 144A.    -   Ovary color: Close to 145C.    -   Seeds and fruits:    -   Seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants of        the new Calibrachoa.

Garden Performance:

Plants of the new Calibrachoa have been observed to have good gardenperformance and tolerate wind, rain and temperatures ranging from about1° C. to about 40° C.

Pathogen/Pest Resistance:

Plants of the new Calibrachoa have not been observed to be resistant topathogens and pests common to Calibrachoa.

Example 2: Comparison of ‘Cherry Star’ with ‘Salmon Star’

The closest known variety to ‘Cherry Star’ is ‘Salmon Star,’ whichexhibits a modified and transient radially-symmetric pattern. Severalfeatures distinguish ‘Cherry Star’ from ‘Salmon Star.’

Foremost, ‘Cherry Star’ shows an intense contrast between the colorationof the petals and the radially-symmetric coloration pattern. Forexample, and as shown in FIG. 1, the radially symmetric pattern colorcontrasts with petal color. Importantly, the radially-symmetriccoloration pattern does not fade over time, it persists from the time ofthe appearance of the flower buds through the flower's life span.Additionally, in ‘Cherry Star,’ the radially-symmetric colorationpattern consistently extends along the fused petal margins towards theedges of the petals.

In contrast, ‘Salmon Star’ does not display as an intense differencebetween the coloration of the pattern and the coloration of the petalsin general. Additionally, and as discussed above and shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2, in ‘Cherry Star,’ the radially-symmetric coloration pattern canextend all of the way along the fused petal margins to the edges of thepetals, whereas in ‘Salmon Star’ (FIG. 3) the coloration pattern doesnot consistently extend the same length along the fused petal margins orconsistently extend to the petal edges.

The below list provides some further characteristics of variety ‘SalmonStar’.

Botanical Classification:

Calibrachoa sp. ‘USCAL59601’.

Parentage:

Female, or seed, parent: Proprietary seedling selection of Calibrachoasp. identified as code name C413-10, not patented.

Male, or pollen, parent: Proprietary seedling selection of Calibrachoasp. identified as code number CJ0613, not patented.

Propagation:

In vitro vegetative cuttings.

Stable and Predictable Introgression of the Radially-Symmetric Pattern

The instant radially-symmetric pattern can be stably and predictablyintrogressed into diverse Calibrachoa genetic backgrounds. The instantCalibrachoa can be used as a male or female parent in crosses forintroducing the trait into new Calibrachoa plants. The discussion belowprovides examples of the introgression of the instant trait into diverseCalibrachoa genetic backgrounds.

Example 3: Developing ‘Grape Punch Star’

The Calibrachoa variety ‘Cherry Star’ exhibits cherry red colored petalswith the claimed radially-symmetric coloration pattern shown in yellow.A similar Calibrachoa variety ‘Grape Punch’ exhibits large grape-purplecolored petals with a deep velvet ring and yellow eye. ‘Grape Punch’does not exhibit the instant radially-symmetric coloration pattern.

The variety ‘Cherry Star’ can be crossed as a male parent with thevariety ‘Grape Punch’ as a female parent to produce the progeny ‘GrapePunch Star’, of which 5-10% of the progeny exhibit the claimed trait.The resulting progeny ‘Grape Punch Star’ exhibits a large dark blueflower, deep velvet ring, and a stable presentation of the instantradially-symmetric coloration pattern in yellow.

Male Parent Female Parent Superbells Superbells Progeny ‘Cherry Star’‘Grape Punch’ ‘Grape Punch Star’ Mounding Habit Mounding Habit MoundingHabit Flower color Large Grape Flower Large dark blue cherry red withwith deep velvet flower with deep stable “yellow star” ring around avelvet ring and that radiates across yellow eye stable “yellow star”petals that radiate across petals

Example 4: Developing ‘Pomegranate Punch Star’

The Calibrachoa variety ‘Cherry Star’ exhibits cherry red colored petalswith the instant radially-symmetric coloration pattern shown in yellow.A similar Calibrachoa variety ‘Pomegranate Punch’ exhibits large redcolored petals with a deep velvet red ring and yellow eye. ‘PomegranatePunch’ does not exhibit the instant radially-symmetric colorationpattern.

The variety ‘Cherry Star’ can be crossed as a male parent with thevariety ‘Pomegranate Punch’ as a female parent to produce the progeny‘Scarlet Punch Star’, of which 5-10% of the progeny exhibit the instanttrait. The resulting progeny ‘Scarlet Punch Star’ exhibits a largescarlet flower, deep velvet ring, and a stable presentation of theinstant radially-symmetric coloration pattern in yellow. A photograph ofthe progeny example ‘Scarlet Punch Star’ is presented as FIG. 4.

Female Parent Male Parent Superbells Progeny Superbells ‘Pomegranate‘Scarlet Punch ‘Cherry Star’ Punch’ Star Flower color Large red flowerLarge scarlet cherry red with with deep velvet- flower with deep stable“yellow red ring around a velvet ring and star” that radiates yellow eyestable “yellow across petals star” that radiate across petals Moundinghabit Mounding habit Mounding habit

Example 5: Developing ‘Blackberry Punch Star’

The Calibrachoa variety ‘Cherry Star’ exhibits cherry red colored petalswith the instant radially-symmetric coloration pattern shown in yellow.A similar Calibrachoa variety ‘Blackberry Punch’ exhibits purple-pinkcolored petals with a deep velvet black ring and yellow eye. ‘BlackberryPunch’ does not exhibit the instant radially-symmetric colorationpattern.

The variety ‘Cherry Star’ can be crossed as a male parent with thevariety ‘Pomegranate Punch’ as a female parent to produce the progeny‘Blackberry Punch Star’, of which 5-10% of the progeny exhibit theinstant trait. The resulting progeny ‘Blackberry Punch Star’ exhibits apurple-pink flower, deep velvet black ring, and a stable presentation ofthe instant radially-symmetric coloration pattern in yellow. Aphotograph of the progeny example ‘Blackberry Punch Star’ is presentedas FIG. 5.

Male Parent Female Parent Progeny Superbells Superbells ‘BlackberryPunch ‘Cherry Star’ ‘Blackberry punch’ Star’ Mounding habit Moundinghabit Mounding habit Flower color Purple pink flower Purple pink flowercherry red with with deep velvet with deep velvet stable “yellow blackring around black ring and star” that radiates a yellow eye stable“yellow star” across petals that radiate across petals

What is claimed is:
 1. A Calibrachoa plant comprising at least oneinflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of thefused petal margins, wherein said pattern extends from the center of theinflorescence and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence. 2.The Calibrachoa plant of claim 1, wherein said radially symmetricpattern is yellow, white, or cream.
 3. The Calibrachoa plant of claim 1,wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of theinflorescence to the edge of the petals.
 4. The Calibrachoa plant ofclaim 1, wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the centerof the inflorescence to more than halfway towards the edge of thepetals.
 5. The Calibrachoa plant of claim 1, wherein said radiallysymmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to lessthan halfway towards the edge of the petals.
 6. The Calibrachoa plant ofclaim 1, wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends any distancebetween the center of the inflorescence and the edge of the petals. 7.The Calibrachoa plant of claim 1, wherein said radially symmetricpattern has a color that is not the same as the petal color.
 8. ACalibrachoa plant of claim 1, wherein the plant is produced from tissuehaving ATCC Deposit Accession No. XXX, and (a) the Calibrachoa plant ofclaim 1, which is the variety ‘Cherry Star’.
 9. A method for producing aCalibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with a radiallysymmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins,comprising (a) crossing, as the male or female parent, a firstCalibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with saidradially symmetric pattern, with a second Calibrachoa plant that doesnot comprise an inflorescence with said radially symmetric pattern, and(b) selecting progeny that have said radially symmetric pattern whereinsaid radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of theinflorescence towards the edge of the petals and does not fade duringthe life of the inflorescence.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein saidradially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescenceto the edge of the petals.
 11. A Calibrachoa plant produced by themethod of claim 9, wherein tissue from said plant can be asexuallypropagated to produce a Calibrachoa plant comprising inflorescence withsaid radially symmetric pattern.
 12. A method for asexually reproducinga Calibrachoa plant having at least one inflorescence with a radiallysymmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins,comprising (a) obtaining a tissue cutting from said plant, (b) culturingsaid tissue cutting under conditions sufficient to produce a plantletwith roots and shoots; and (c) growing said plantlet to produce a plant,wherein said pattern extends from the center of the inflorescencetowards the edge of the petals and does not fade during the life of theinflorescence.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said radiallysymmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to theedge of the petals.